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Churchill Downs has unveiled a stakes schedule for its 2009 Spring Meet that is headed by the 135th renewals of the $2 million-guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) and the $500,000-added Kentucky Oaks (GI), and includes a total of 29 stakes events with total purses of $7.575 million.

Churchill Downs is set to give away 400 Cajun Jockey Hurricane Glasses on Saturday, February 7, to celebrate Louisiana Derby Preview Day from Fair Grounds. The glasses proved to be a popular hit during the Fall Meet and Saturday will be a final opportunity to go home with a glass.

The public unveiling of a larger-than-life bronze statue to celebrate the life of 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro will take place at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on the morning of Sunday, April 26. The announcement comes on the second anniversary of Barbaro’s passing on Jan. 29, 2007.

Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI” or “Company”) (NASDAQ: CHDN) today announced that it is restructuring its organization to facilitate implementation of the Company’s new growth-based strategic plan. Under the new strategic plan, CDI will focus on becoming the leading provider of integrated racing, gaming, and entertainment delivered on-site and online.

On Thursday, Jan 15, First Lady Jane Beshear accepted a check on behalf of “Horses and Hope,” the breast cancer awareness program initiated by the First Lady and the Kentucky Cancer Program (KCP). The donation of more than $11,000 presented to the First Lady in the Capitol by Churchill Downs was the result of proceeds collected during the Breast Cancer Awarene

Mark Johnson (biography), one of the most popular and acclaimed horse racing commentators in Britain, will bring his talents to America in 2009 as the new track announcer for Churchill Downs, home of the world-famous Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I).

Steve Sexton, president of Churchill Downs and executive vice president of Churchill Downs Incorporated, has issued the following statement on the death of Daily Racing Form Executive Columnist Joe Hirsch:

Churchill Downs has launched the official Web site for the 2009 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands, www.kentuckyderby.com, which will offer unparalleled coverage of the horse racing season leading up to the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2009.

Officials of Churchill Downs Incorporated and representatives of the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association have come to an agreement that allows, under specified terms and conditions, Churchill Downs racetrack to offer its live racing signal for distribution to national advance-deposit wagering platforms, including TwinSpires.com. T

Churchill Downs today announced that Lee Ann Shellman, who since 2003 has served as senior director of premium seating, is leaving the racetrack. Her final day with Churchill Downs will be Wednesday, Dec. 31.

Jockey Julien Leparoux, trainer Mike Maker and owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey concluded their assault on the Churchill Downs record book in scoring dazzling victories their respective categories as the 26-day Fall Meet at the historic home of the Kentucky Derby concluded on Saturday, Nov. 29.

John Oxley’s Beethoven outdueled Giant Oak and favored Capt Candyman Can in a stretch-long duel to win Saturday’s 82nd running of the $168,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (Grade II) for 2-year-olds at Churchill Downs.

(November 29, 2008) – Ann Lorenson Lynch’s War Tigress, ridden by Julio Garcia, held off a late charge by favored Striking Dancer by three-quarters of a length to win the $57,200 Caressing Handicap for 2-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs.

(November 29, 2008) – William Stiritz’s Proceed Bee collared favored Jack Spratt at the sixteenth pole and then held off Smart Shot in the final yards to win the $57,200 Grand Canyon for 2-year-olds by three-quarters of a length on Saturday afternoon at Churchill Downs.

Pitts Ecstatic Over Einstein's Clark Performance - More than 12 hours after Einstein's tour de force victory in the $400,000 Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (Grade II), the smile had not left the face of trainer Helen Pitts.[asset|]

(November 28, 2008) – Einstein, a 6-year-old son of 1985 Kentucky Derby winner Spend a Buck, collared 2-5 favorite Commentator at the head of the stretch and then held off a late surge from Delightful Kiss to win Friday’s 134th running of the $440,400 Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (GII) at Churchill Downs by 1 ½

MISS ISELLA COULD START BIG WEEKEND FOR WILKES BARN - Miss Isella was bright and alert in Stall 1 of the Ian Wilkes barn Friday morning, a day after scoring her first stakes victory in the Falls City Handicap (Grade II).[asset|height=12|width=100]

(November 28, 2008) – Jockey Julien Leparoux broke a 23-year-old Churchill Downs record for wins at a Fall Meet on Friday when he rode Just Like William to a head victory in the third race for his 56th triumph of the meet. It was his second win on the day. He also won the second race aboard Calabria.